### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word כֵּהֶה (kêheh), transliterated as *kêheh*, is derived from the root כָּהָה (kāhāh) `{{H3543}}`, which conveys the sense of "to be dim," "to grow faint," "to languish," or "to grow dull." As an adjective, כֵּהֶה thus describes a state of reduced intensity, vitality, or clarity. Its primary semantic range encompasses:
* **Visual Dimness:** Referring to light or sight that is "darkish," "somewhat dark," or "waxing dim." It suggests a lack of brightness or vividness, not absolute darkness but a significant reduction in light.
* **Physical Weakness/Feebleness:** Implying a lack of strength, vigor, or robust health, leading to a state of being "feeble" or experiencing "heaviness."
* **Metaphorical Fading/Extinction:** As seen in the image of a "smoking" wick, it denotes something that is on the verge of going out, nearly extinguished, or barely functioning.
The core essence of כֵּהֶה is therefore one of impairment or decline, indicating something that is not completely gone but is severely diminished in its quality, strength, or presence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word כֵּהֶה appears predominantly in two distinct biblical contexts, each revealing a unique facet of its meaning:
1. **Levitical Purity Laws (Leviticus 13-14):** In the detailed regulations concerning *tzara'at* (often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing various skin afflictions), כֵּהֶה is used multiple times to describe the appearance of a "dim" or "faint" spot on the skin.
* In [[Leviticus 13:6]], [[Leviticus 13:21]], [[Leviticus 13:26]], [[Leviticus 13:28]], [[Leviticus 13:39]], and [[Leviticus 14:56]], the term is crucial for priestly diagnosis. A spot described as כֵּהֶה ("dim") is contrasted with a "bright" or "white" spot (בָּהֶרֶת, *baheret* `{{H934}}`). The dimness could indicate a less severe form of the affliction, a healing stage, or a non-contagious condition, requiring specific priestly judgments regarding isolation or purification. This usage underscores the word's precise application in discerning subtle differences in appearance.
2. **Messianic Prophecy (Isaiah 42:3):** This is arguably the most theologically significant occurrence of כֵּהֶה.
* [[Isaiah 42:3]] states concerning the Servant of the Lord: "A bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice." Here, כֵּהֶה describes the "wick" (פִשְׁתָּה, *pishtah*) of an oil lamp that is "dimly burning" or "smoking." Such a wick is smoldering, producing smoke but little light, on the verge of going out entirely. In this poetic parallelism, the "bruised reed" and the "dimly burning wick" serve as powerful metaphors for the weak, the oppressed, the despairing, or those whose strength and hope are nearly extinguished. The Servant's refusal to "break" or "quench" them highlights His profound compassion, gentleness, and restorative purpose.
### Related Words & Concepts
The understanding of כֵּהֶה is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms:
* **כָּהָה (kāhāh) `{{H3543}}`:** The verbal root from which כֵּהֶה is derived. It signifies the action of becoming dim, faint, or languishing. For instance, in [[Zechariah 11:17]], it describes a "withered" or "dimmed" arm.
* **Opposites:**
* **בָּהֶרֶת (baheret) `{{H934}}`:** "Bright spot," used in direct contrast to כֵּהֶה in Leviticus, signifying a vibrant, often active, skin lesion.
* **אוֹר (or) `{{H216}}`:** "Light," "brightness," representing the full presence of what כֵּהֶה describes as diminished.
* **Semantic Fields:**
* **עָשָׁן (ashan) `{{H6227}}`:** "Smoke," closely associated with the "smoking flax" in [[Isaiah 42:3]], as a dim wick produces smoke rather than clear light.
* **מָעַךְ (ma'akh) `{{H4600}}`:** "Bruised" or "crushed," as in the "bruised reed" of [[Isaiah 42:3]], sharing the theme of weakness and vulnerability.
* **דַּל (dal) `{{H1800}}` / עָנִי (ani) `{{H6041}}`:** "Poor," "weak," "afflicted," representing the human conditions that the "dimly burning wick" often symbolizes.
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of כֵּהֶה is primarily concentrated in its prophetic usage in Isaiah, which is later affirmed in the New Testament.
1. **Divine Compassion and Grace:** The image of the "dimly burning wick" in [[Isaiah 42:3]] profoundly illustrates God's character as revealed through His Servant. It speaks to a divine patience and tenderness that does not extinguish what is weak, struggling, or on the verge of failure. Instead, God preserves and strengthens it. This stands in stark contrast to human tendencies to discard the unproductive or the frail.
2. **Hope for the Vulnerable:** For those who feel like a "dimly burning wick"—exhausted, despairing, or lacking strength—this verse offers immense comfort and hope. It assures them that the Messiah does not overlook or crush the fragile, but rather ministers to them with restorative grace, fanning the last flicker of life and hope back into flame.
3. **Messianic Portrait:** The New Testament explicitly applies [[Isaiah 42:3]] to Jesus Christ in [[Matthew 12:20]]. Jesus' ministry consistently demonstrated this gentle, compassionate approach, healing the sick, comforting the sorrowful, and lifting up the downtrodden. He perfectly embodies the Servant who refuses to break the bruised reed or quench the dimly burning wick, showcasing His mission to redeem and restore the weak and broken.
4. **Discernment in Purity:** In the Levitical context, while not directly theological in the same salvific sense, the use of כֵּהֶה highlights the meticulousness required for maintaining ritual purity and health within the community. The "dim" spot required careful, discerning observation by the priest, emphasizing God's concern for the physical and spiritual well-being of His people and the precision required in adhering to His covenantal standards.
### Summary
The Hebrew word כֵּהֶה (kêheh) `{{H3544}}` denotes a state of diminishment, obscurity, or feebleness. Derived from the root כָּהָה (kāhāh) `{{H3543}}`, it describes something that is "dim," "faint," "darkish," or "feeble." In the Levitical purity laws, it is a technical term for a "dim spot" on the skin, requiring precise priestly discernment for diagnosis of *tzara'at*. However, its profound theological significance emerges in [[Isaiah 42:3]], where it metaphorically describes a "dimly burning wick." This image portrays the compassionate and gentle character of the Servant of the Lord (the Messiah), who does not extinguish the last flicker of hope or strength in the weak, the oppressed, or those on the verge of despair. This Messianic portrait, affirmed in [[Matthew 12:20]] concerning Jesus, underscores God's patient grace and restorative power, offering immense hope to all who feel like a "dimly burning wick." Thus, כֵּהֶה encapsulates both a precise physical description and a profound spiritual truth about divine tenderness towards human fragility.
TRV